Co-facilitation is a value creation opportunity

Sometimes you just have to give up something to get something. Case in point: collaboration. We give up a bit of personal autonomy for an outcome that’s greater than what we might have achieved on our own. Bottom line is that we and the customer/client both get more value.

I’ve been formally working as a mediator for 10 years. Over the last couple of years, I’ve also mentored a dozen or more different mediators, as part of the BC Court Mediation Program. The mentoring is done as a co-mediation. The mentor and the mentee co-facilitate, the mediation session.

When I first started mentoring, I tended to fall back to the teacher/student image, in my mind. I was the teacher. They were the student. I knew the score. They didn’t. Wrong.

Similar to being in a different cultural setting, I soon realized that I had to let go of that lens, and say hello to whatever was present. When I did, good things happened:

I relaxed more

I listened more

the mediation and conversation space expanded

the gifts of each mediator were allowed to shine forth

trust grew in the mediator/mentor relationship

the blending of hearts and brains enriched the dialogue

the capacity to solve the issues at hand expanded

value increased; for the parties in dispute and the co-mediators

In a good collaboration, 1 + 1 > 2.

Mediation is facilitated negotiation. Mediation is just one context where we can co-facilitate. The opportunity list is huge.

If you don’t already co-facilitate in some way, what if you intentionally sought to co-facilitate? What’s stopping you? Lost income; e.g., from splitting the work?

Through co-facilitation, we can expand the value pie. And, that goes for revenue, too. Co-facilitation is a growth opportunity; personally, professionally and maybe most important, it can deliver greater value to your constituents, clients and customers.

Comments

Great post Ben. I like your case in point – collaboration. In the non-profit sector we are making our way toward understanding the dynamics of successful collaboration (a term often used but not used well). I know first hand what it’s like to THINK you’re collaborating, only to end up frustrated. Alternately, when I focus on shared concerns and a clear vision of what we’re trying to achieve, I find myself open to so many more ideas. They don’t have to be mine, and they don’t have to be “right”. There is incredible energy that builds as a result of people creating solutions together. I’m a beliver that we can go quickly alone, but go farther together.

Thanks Barb. I really like your point alluding to ownership (or not) of ideas. I agree… it doesn’t matter where they come from. What matters is the momentum and energy they give us, to work together and do good things.